Clean GMT-II Pepsi updated bezel insert V2/V2s review and comparison

[daytonadude]

I think what is evident in the back and forth is that V2 and V3 has adressed the bezel and has made the MK1 and MK3 camps happy. I think the major remaining issue to fix is this sloppy bezel action. Once that is fixed, it is as good as it can get other than the crystal.

Or…. Buy a GSC / “Not VSF” gmt with VR3186, which has excellent bezel action and a movement that is easy swappable if anything happens, and pop in your preferred bezel. It has an excellent crystal and correct datewheel mag. only last thing to change is the dial because the printing is a bit grey

 

[SlanderingParrot]

At long last I received mine, after being tossed around in shipping for 36 days. Looks great but, it doesn’t manually wind. Resistance winding feels normal, works to swirl it counter-clockwise. Bought from Ctime, any ideas?

 

[Mark1937]

How are you guys so good at telling which version it is?

even a blind person can see this is a V1...completely wrong colors

 

[Mkempes]

At long last I received mine, after being tossed around in shipping for 36 days. Looks great but, it doesn’t manually wind. Resistance winding feels normal, works to swirl it counter-clockwise. Bought from Ctime, any ideas?

Ask a watchsmith to revise. Take a look at the service section for one in your region if you can't find one locally.

However be prepared to wait.

 

[daytonadude]

At long last I received mine, after being tossed around in shipping for 36 days. Looks great but, it doesn’t manually wind. Resistance winding feels normal, works to swirl it counter-clockwise. Bought from Ctime, any ideas?

Are you saying the gears aren’t engaging together and it’s like an empty wind?

 

[SlanderingParrot]

Are you saying the gears aren’t engaging together and it’s like an empty wind?

I think it feels normal to wind it, it definitely has a bit more resistance than my DJ but it’s linear. However, it never finishes to wind, there is no over tension bump, and it doesn’t feel more heavy to wind the longer I go either. Therefore I have a theory it might spin the rotor. Don’t know how else I could wind it without being over tensioned.
I’m sure there are protections for this in the watch, but don’t know how it works.

 

[Hasslebank]

V3s unprocessed pics FYI

 

[MrButterfield]

I think it feels normal to wind it, it definitely has a bit more resistance than my DJ but it’s linear. However, it never finishes to wind, there is no over tension bump, and it doesn’t feel more heavy to wind the longer I go either. Therefore I have a theory it might spin the rotor. Don’t know how else I could wind it without being over tensioned.
I’m sure there are protections for this in the watch, but don’t know how it works.

This sounds normal to me. Or, at least that’s the way I’m understanding it without any coffee in my system yet. If you continue to wind, the mainspring barrel should slip to prevent overwinding. And, I cant feel tension building on the winding stem on any of my automatic watches as I wind them.

If you think the rotor is spinning when you wind, hold the watch vertically, so that the rotor hangs down, and see if that feels any different. I have one watch that I need to do this with (Sinn 356, an otherwise perfect watch IMO).

 

[CCL088]

At long last I received mine, after being tossed around in shipping for 36 days. Looks great but, it doesn’t manually wind. Resistance winding feels normal, works to swirl it counter-clockwise. Bought from Ctime, any ideas?

If the watch is not running then you wind it manually and the watch starts running, all is good. My wife's DD movement feels the way you describe but it is working right and is just very smooth...

 

[daytonadude]

V3s unprocessed pics FYI

Thanks bro could you share some pics indoors, not too close up, and in low light?

This is usually a great way to determine how the bezel objectively looks

 

[leo6929]

Damn, that last set of pics of the V3... this is just getting more awesome by the week, lol... best time to be a rep aficionado

 

[Hasslebank]

Thanks bro could you share some pics indoors, not too close up, and in low light?

This is usually a great way to determine how the bezel objectively looks

Will share some tmrw

 

[SubNot]

V3s unprocessed pics FYI

Wow that looks pretty good!

 

[mini88]

V2

side note: the triangle on the bezel insert seems to have turned darker than the numbers. any solution to this?

 

[daytonadude]

V2

side note: the triangle on the bezel insert seems to have turned darker than the numbers. any solution to this?

Very gently rub a slightly wet toothbrush with a tiny bit of soap. Not too much!

 

[mini88]

V3S

for those who find the V2 colors too faded, and V3 too dark, the V3S is a good alternative. it can appear garish at times, but that’s also it’s appeal. i have all three and i’m having a hard time deciding which to sell. might end up keeping all three . they really are fantastic reps.

 

[daytonadude]

V3S

for those who find the V2 colors too faded, and V3 too dark, the V3S is a good alternative. it can appear garish at times, but that’s also it’s appeal. i have all three and i’m having a hard time deciding which to sell. might end up keeping all three . they really are fantastic reps.

Super helpful man thank you!

Could you share a few pics of your v3 and v3s? Very helpful to see a comparison that isn’t taken by a TD in studio lighting

 

[mini88]

Super helpful man thank you!

Could you share a few pics of your v3 and v3s? Very helpful to see a comparison that isn’t taken by a TD in studio lighting

sure.

V3 on jubilee, V3S on oyster.



sidenote: the date magnification (or date wheel font thickness?) appears to be better on my V3S, which i ordered a few weeks after the V3. it’s noticeably thicker on the V3 than the V3S, more obvious in person than pics. the V2 (not pictured here) is actually in between in thickness lol. not sure if this is all just clean factory inconsistency or if they’ve made any updates.

 

[cjt202020]

V3s looks worth it for those low light moments

 

[Hasslebank]

Thanks bro could you share some pics indoors, not too close up, and in low light?

This is usually a great way to determine how the bezel objectively looks

Okidoki

1. Outside, cloudy natural light pics



2. Inside, cloudy, unprocessed




3. Low light room, unprocessed